Trusted Tails Therapy Dog Program

Group of five people standing indoors with therapy dogs, celebrating graduation from a therapy dog training program. The wall behind them has a sign that says 'Therapy Dog Grads!' and a quote 'play is a child's work.'

The Trusted Tails Therapy Dog Program is designed to prepare dogs and their handlers for certification as therapy dog teams. Our program emphasizes trust, patience, and understanding, focusing on building strong relationships and ensuring dogs are confident and well-mannered in various environments

A young boy and a woman are sitting on the carpeted floor, facing a friendly-looking large dog. The boy appears to be smiling while the woman holds the dog, who is looking at the camera with a happy expression.
A young boy is leaning over and kissing a large black dog on the head indoors, near a chair and a dark wood cabinet.
Schedule a phone consultation
Schedule a therapy dog assessment

What does it take to become a Therapy Dog?

Therapy dogs provide comfort and connection in settings such as hospitals, schools, libraries, and assisted-living facilities. Successful therapy dogs enjoy meeting unfamiliar people and can remain comfortable, responsive, and relaxed in different environments.

Steps to Becoming a Therapy-Dog Team:

1. Assess Your Dog’s Suitability

We begin by evaluating your dog’s temperament, sociability, confidence, handling tolerance, and ability to recover from stress. Therapy work should be safe and enjoyable for your dog.

2. Build Foundational Skills

Your dog will need dependable manners around people, dogs, food, noises, and other distractions. Training may include Canine Good Citizen preparation and testing.

3. Practice Therapy-Specific Situations

You and your dog will practice calm interactions around unfamiliar people, mobility equipment, unusual movement, busy environments, and other situations encountered during therapy visits.

4. Choose a Therapy-Dog Organization

Each organization has its own requirements for evaluations, health records, supervised visits, registration, and insurance. We can help you understand the process and prepare for your chosen organization.

5. Complete Your Evaluation

Once you and your dog are ready, you can complete your chosen organization’s evaluation and registration process before beginning volunteer visits.

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Program Q & A

  • ✺ How do I know whether my dog would enjoy therapy work?

    Good candidates enjoy meeting unfamiliar people, are comfortable being touched, recover well from surprises, and can remain calm in new environments. A Therapy Dog Suitability Assessment can help determine whether this type of work is a good fit for your dog.

  • ✺ Does my dog need to pass the Canine Good Citizen test?

    The Canine Good Citizen test provides a valuable foundation for therapy work. Some therapy-dog organizations require it, while others use their own evaluation process. We offer CGC preparation and testing as part of private therapy-dog training when appropriate.

  • ✺ How long does therapy-dog preparation take?

    The timeline depends on your dog’s current skills, confidence, temperament, and previous training. After an assessment, we will recommend a private training plan based on the needs of you and your dog.

  • ✺ Will completing training guarantee that my dog becomes a therapy dog?

    Training can improve skills and prepare teams for evaluation. Final approval is determined by the therapy-dog organization, and your dog’s comfort and enjoyment will remain an important part of the process.

  • ✺ What if my dog has already passed the CGC?

    Dogs with a CGC can focus their private training on hands-on therapy skills, realistic practice scenarios, public outings, handler education, and preparation for their chosen organization’s evaluation.

  • ✺ How do I get started?

    Schedule a phone consultation if you have questions or want to learn more about the process. If you are ready to begin, schedule a Therapy Dog Suitability Assessment so we can meet your dog, evaluate their current readiness, and recommend the next steps.

Ready to get started?

A young girl and an older man are interacting with a small white and brown dog wearing a green bandana inside a house. The girl is kneeling and holding the dog's paw, while the man is sitting on a chair watching them. The dog is sitting on a small towel on the floor.
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Schedule a therapy dog assessment
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